All true enough. Now, I submit for your consideration, this from the Virginia Historical Society:
Robert E. Lee arrived in Lexington in mid-September 1865 and went to work immediately as President of Washington College. Over the next five years, Washington College grew physically and financially: the A faculty increased in size from four to twenty, enrollment grew from 50 to nearly 400 students, and financial contributions poured in from both southern and northern sources. Lee's personal involvement with many of his students reflected his desire to create a new generation of Americans. In response to the bitterness of a Confederate widow who lamented the fact her twin sons had chosen to seek higher education at a Northern college, and thus, become "Yankees," Lee told her "Dismiss from your mind all sectional feeling, and let your sons be Americans."
In December 2005 the Virginia Historical Society acquired from Lee family descendants the portable lap desk that belonged to Lee while he lived in the president's house at Washington College. The desk is currently on display in the long-term exhibition The Story of Virginia. Among the interesting items in the desk is a "cash" book that includes a record, in Lee's hand, of his salary as president of the college. Although a sword might symbolize Robert E. Lee's distinguished military service, the desk represents the final chapter of his life—a period in which he dedicated himself to educating young men and reuniting the country that he had so recently fought against.
Although a sword might symbolize Robert E. Lee's distinguished military service, the desk represents the final chapter of his life—a period in which he dedicated himself to educating young men and reuniting the country that he had so recently fought against.Thanks for that very interesting post concerning Lee and his post-military contributions at Lexington. I can only wonder how Texas A&M would have fared under the stewardship of Jefferson Davis , who declined the offer of its presidency.
He was a bit of rowdy fellow while at West Point (not dissimilar to today's Johnny Football of aTm) but later distinguished himself during the Mexican–American War. His legacy also included strengthening America's military when he served with honor as Secretary of War during the Pierce administration. As Mississippi Senator, Davis championed the territorial expansion of the United States via the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo and the Gasden Purchase.